Mental health issues are extremely common in the United States, affecting 57.8 million adults and 7.7 million young people. If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health problems, you’re far from alone. Fortunately, many types of counseling and therapy can provide support for these issues. If you’re searching for a therapist in Arlington Heights, NeuroHealth is here to help..
What’s the Difference Between Mental Health Counseling and Therapy?
Counseling and therapy are terms that are often used interchangeably, as are the titles of therapist or counselor. It’s easy to get confused over the finer points of these mental health services when you’re searching for counseling centers or a clinical therapist. You should always feel free to clarify the scope of services or the educational background of your service provider so you understand what you’re signing up for.
Usually, counseling refers to a short-term service that addresses a specific problem. For example, couples counseling focuses on resolving relationship issues. Therapy is usually a long-term treatment that delves deeper into individual issues and concerns. There are many different types of adult and pediatric therapy, each offering a distinctive approach to your mental health. Some examples include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT strives to change destructive patterns by addressing distortions in the patient’s thinking and providing tools to understand the motivations and behaviors of others.
- Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT): Originally developed for patients with borderline personality disorder, DBT focuses on increasing distress tolerance, mindfulness, and emotional regulation.
- Mentalization-based therapy (MBT): MBT develops the ability to mentalize, perceive, and understand others’ feelings.
What’s the Most Common Therapy for Mental Health?
If you’re struggling with poor mental health, you’re not alone. Over 22% of U.S. adults experienced mental illness in 2021. Anxiety disorders are the most common, affecting more than 19% of individuals. Over 8% of adults suffer from major depressive episodes, and 3.6% have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for anxiety disorders, making this one of the most widely practiced therapies in the country and a great starting point if you’re looking for therapy. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, CBT is “the gold standard for psychotherapy.”
Though CBT is a widely used practice for the most common mental illness, it’s far from the only treatment option. Every individual is unique, and there is never a one-size-fits-all solution for mental health. The healthcare professionals at NeuroHealth AH will thoroughly evaluate your unique situation to provide a personalized diagnosis and tailored treatment plan.
How To Start Therapy
The first and perhaps most challenging step to starting therapy is accepting that you can benefit from this treatment. Many individuals are afraid of being stigmatized and hesitate to pursue therapy or counseling as a result. Keep in mind that one in five Americans suffers from a mental health issue. This means that if you’re in a room with even four other people, at least one is likely to need therapy or counseling.
There is no shame in seeking help for mental health issues. In fact, getting therapy is extremely empowering. By seeking help, you’re taking control back into your own hands. Licensed mental health professionals are bound by law to keep your sessions confidential unless there’s a threat to you or someone else. Rest assured that you can seek treatment privately and explore any issues of concern in a safe setting.
When you’re ready to start treatment, the first step is neuropsychological testing. This will help your healthcare provider identify and understand your condition. Neuropsychological tests may be hands-on activities such as using blocks or conversational questioning. Assessments are tailored to the individual to address their primary concerns and most pressing symptoms.
At NeuroHealth Arlington Heights, we offer neuropsychological testing for children and adults. Our testing can identify and evaluate conditions ranging from anxiety and depression to developmental disorders, learning disabilities, and dementia. We’re equipped to evaluate and diagnose:
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- ADHD
- Dyslexia
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Dementia
- Depression
After your initial testing, you can set up services on a schedule that meets your needs. Some patients prefer weekly sessions, while others may feel comfortable with bi-weekly or even monthly treatments. It’s usually best to begin with more frequent visits as you get to know your therapist and gain new tools and strategies. As your therapy progresses, you’ll often progress to less frequent sessions.
What Conditions Can Therapy Treat?
Psychotherapy can improve the symptoms of many mental health conditions. In some cases, therapy may completely resolve issues such as depression, anxiety, or eating disorders. Therapy can also help individuals learn to cope better with permanent mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or borderline personality disorder.
Therapy can improve the symptoms of nearly any mental health issue. It can even help individuals who are already mentally healthy to gain new coping techniques and strategies for handling life’s day-to-day stressors. You may pursue therapy simply to improve your relationship with a loved one, gain more powerful parenting skills, and build your self-confidence.
Some signs that psychotherapy may help include:
- A pervasive negative mood
- Loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable
- Uncontrolled emotions
- Problematic habits such as drinking, gambling, or drug use
- A traumatic experience such as a physical or sexual assault, serious accident, or death of a loved one
- Low self-esteem and confidence
- Disruptive changes in sleeping and eating habits
- Intrusive thoughts
- Difficulty managing relationships
- Poor performance at work or school
- Inability to focus
Why Choose NeuroHealth?
At NeuroHealth Arlington Heights, we’re equipped to provide treatments and assessments for issues ranging from concerns about neurodevelopmental growth and neurocognitive functions to disruptive behavioral, emotional, or social problems. We work with children, adolescents, and adults. Our services even include behavioral training for parents to equip families to work cooperatively and support children in need. Contact us today if you need mental health therapy in Arlington Heights or the greater Chicago area.
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